Experts Reviews · 2026 Ratings

The Best Recycling Services in San Francisco, CA

We graded 3 companies on seven things customers actually report: satisfaction, reliability, workmanship, value, momentum, track record and how owners handle complaints.

—typical jobMedian of the bill customers reported in their Google review (Google asks reviewers for a price range; we use the middle of each range).
100%say the price was fairOf customers who rated the price, the share who chose “Great price” or “Reasonable” rather than “Overpriced”.
4.76★average ratingPlain average of every Google star rating we collected for these companies.
3.9%bad jobs (1–2★, 2 yrs)Share of 1–2★ reviews in the last 24 months — or the 20 newest reviews when the company had fewer than 20 in that time.

From 3,628 Google reviews of 26 top-rated recycling services nationwide; 3 of them in San Francisco, CA. Updated November 2, 2026.

Find the right company for your job

Pick the job — we re-rank companies by how customers rated that exact job.

Overall ratings

Experts Score 0–100Experts Score (0–100)Absolute quality first: recency-weighted star average (≈54%), share of 1–2★ reviews (≈24%), customers’ price verdicts (≈14%), owner replies to critical reviews (≈7%); minus up to 10 points each for complaints flagged in Google review highlights and for a real slide in recent ratings. Hover a company’s score on its page for the full breakdown. and a letter grade per factor (A = top 20% of recycling services).

#CompanyScoreExperts Score (0–100)Absolute quality first: recency-weighted star average (≈54%), share of 1–2★ reviews (≈24%), customers’ price verdicts (≈14%), owner replies to critical reviews (≈7%); minus up to 10 points each for complaints flagged in Google review highlights and for a real slide in recent ratings. Hover a company’s score on its page for the full breakdown.FactorsFactor grades, in orderSatisfaction (54%): Recency-weighted star average (2-year half-life), shrunk toward the category mean by review volume; the company’s own lifetime average as the prior; absolute: 4.0★ = 0, 5★ = 100.Reliability (24%): How rarely jobs go badly: share of 1–2★ reviews — 60% the last 24 months (or the 20 newest if fewer), 40% all-time; 0% = 100, 15%+ = 0; the category percentile can only raise it.Craft & service (0%): Google review highlights: Quality, Professionalism, Responsiveness, Punctuality — how rarely reviewers flag them as a negative, per review since highlights began; 0% = 100, 5%+ = 0. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in — clean highlights are the norm, not a bonus.Value (14%): Customers’ own price verdicts (Great / Reasonable vs Overpriced) and Value highlights; 65% absolute (all “reasonable” ≈ 80, “great” = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Momentum (0%): Penalises only a real slide: last-12-month average below lifetime (−0.5★ = 0). Still 4.8★+ over the last year, or steady/improving = 100. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in.Replies to reviews (7%): How often the owner publicly replies to reviews under 5★ (1–4★). Needs 3+ such reviews, otherwise not counted; 65% absolute (80%+ replied = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.One letter per factor score: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39, F = below 20.★Google star rating as shown on Google Maps.Typical billMedian bill customers of this company reported in their reviews (needs 3+ priced reviews).
1GreenCitizen, Inc. logoGreenCitizen, Inc.San Francisco, CAA 94How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 64%95+60.4Reliability 28%93+26.3Replies to reviews 8%92+7.6Experts Score= 94Not enough data for value; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews.AA––AA4.93—
2Bay Area Metals logoBay Area MetalsSan Francisco, CAC 51How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 64%63+40Reliability 28%32+9Replies to reviews 8%31+2.6Momentum penalty96−0.4Experts Score= 51Not enough data for value; its weight is shared by the others.Grade C: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews.BD––AD4.63—
3Marin Resource Recovery Center logoMarin Resource Recovery CenterSan Francisco, CAC 45How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 64%49+31.1Reliability 28%52+14.7Replies to reviews 8%28+2.3Momentum penalty74−2.6Experts Score= 45Not enough data for value; its weight is shared by the others.Grade C: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews.CC––BD4.50—

What jobs cost

What customers paid, from the price Google asks reviewers to report.

JobLow25th percentile: 1 in 4 customers paid less than this.TypicalMedian of the bill customers reported in their Google review (Google asks reviewers for a price range; we use the middle of each range).High75th percentile: 1 in 4 customers paid more than this.FairOf customers who rated the price, the share who chose “Great price” or “Reasonable” rather than “Overpriced”.

Recycling Services in San Francisco, CA at a glance

How the 3 recycling services we rated in San Francisco, CA compare, and what customers praise most.

Experts Score grades

A = score 80+, F = below 20.

  • Grade A133%
  • Grade B00%
  • Grade C267%
  • Grade D00%
  • Grade F00%

Google ratings

Average stars per company.

  • 4.90★ and up133%
  • 4.80–4.89★00%
  • 4.60–4.79★133%
  • Below 4.60★133%

What customers praise

Share of Google review highlights.

  • Quality32318%
  • Professionalism41823%
  • Responsiveness38221%
  • Punctuality37721%
  • Value32218%

Was the price fair?

All price verdicts left with reviews.

  • Great price750%
  • Reasonable750%
  • Overpriced00%
  • Not sure00%

Price verdicts by year

Share calling it great / reasonable / overpriced.

2026

How we grade

Satisfaction (54%) — Recency-weighted star average (2-year half-life), shrunk toward the category mean by review volume; the company’s own lifetime average as the prior; absolute: 4.0★ = 0, 5★ = 100.

Reliability (24%) — How rarely jobs go badly: share of 1–2★ reviews — 60% the last 24 months (or the 20 newest if fewer), 40% all-time; 0% = 100, 15%+ = 0; the category percentile can only raise it.

Craft & service (penalty, up to −10) — Google review highlights: Quality, Professionalism, Responsiveness, Punctuality — how rarely reviewers flag them as a negative, per review since highlights began; 0% = 100, 5%+ = 0. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in — clean highlights are the norm, not a bonus.

Value (14%) — Customers’ own price verdicts (Great / Reasonable vs Overpriced) and Value highlights; 65% absolute (all “reasonable” ≈ 80, “great” = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.

Momentum (penalty, up to −10) — Penalises only a real slide: last-12-month average below lifetime (−0.5★ = 0). Still 4.8★+ over the last year, or steady/improving = 100. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in.

Replies to reviews (7%) — How often the owner publicly replies to reviews under 5★ (1–4★). Needs 3+ such reviews, otherwise not counted; 65% absolute (80%+ replied = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.

The 4 best-rated recycling services in San Francisco, CA average 4.7★ on Google across 1,770 reviews. Junk King San Francisco has the top rating (4.9★). Updated November 1, 2026.

4 companies that meet our bar: rated 4.5★ or higher on Google, with a meaningful review history (1,770 reviews combined) and currently operating. Request a call back and the company will phone you directly.

Junk King San Francisco logo
#1

Junk King San Francisco

4.9 ★★★★★ · 1,254 Google reviews
Junk removal service · 1615 Polk St Unit 6, San Francisco, CA 94109

“Great company to get rid of your old furniture or junk. They are quick, efficient, easy to schedule and respectful to your property, even on my steep street in SF. I'd definitely use them again.” — Google review

View reviews
GreenCitizen, Inc. logo
#2

GreenCitizen, Inc.

4.9 ★★★★★ · 339 Google reviews
Recycling center · 1831 Old Bayshore Hwy #2, Burlingame, CA 94010

“5 stars for customer service on phone, so we knew what to bring for safe (data clearing service), eco-friendly, economical recycling of pcs/computer items. Marcus explained all options. Saw a bunch of sytrofoam being…” — Google review

View reviews
Marin Resource Recovery Center logo
#3

Marin Resource Recovery Center

4.5 ★★★★★ · 147 Google reviews
Recycling center · 565 Jacoby St, San Rafael, CA 94901

“Bring a mask...for the dust. Facilitiy has green, household hazard (shorter hours), clean dirt, wood,masonry, brick, rock, and other material processing. Of course they take trash too. Dudes at gate and everyone I…” — Google review

View reviews
Bay Area Metals logo
#4

Bay Area Metals

4.6 ★★★★★ · 30 Google reviews
Gold dealer · 154 S Spruce Ave, South San Francisco, CA 94080

“OLD SCHOOL..MARKET MAKER.. Straight shooter! You are the BEST in My 35 + Years.. Thank you for Professionalism.. * ALL Staff.. included ☆☆☆☆☆☆ 6! Stars” — Google review

View reviews

How we pick recycling services in San Francisco

We scan Google Maps for recycling service listings in and around San Francisco, keep only open businesses whose main category matches the service, and require a Google rating of at least 4.5 from at least 20 reviews. Companies are ordered by a confidence-weighted score that balances rating and review volume. We do not accept payment for placement.

Frequently asked questions

Who is the highest-rated recycling service in San Francisco?

Junk King San Francisco has the highest Google rating on our San Francisco list: 4.9 out of 5 from 1,254 reviews (as of November 1, 2026).

Which recycling service in San Francisco has the most reviews?

Junk King San Francisco has the most Google reviews among the companies listed here: 1,254, with a 4.9★ average.

How are these recycling services chosen?

Only open San Francisco-area businesses whose Google category matches the service, rated at least 4.5★ from at least 20 Google reviews. They are ordered by a confidence-weighted score of rating and review volume. Placement is never paid.

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